Tail-light sign device



Sepe. 11, 1923. www@ n G. T. STEUART -TAIL LIGHT SIGN DEVIE M w i S14/Dent o@ @51d (1%, im

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Patented Sep. l1, 1923.

TAIL-LIGHT SIGN DEVICE.

Application filed February 19, 1923. Serial No. 619,957.

T all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, GUY T. STnUARr, a citizen of the United States,A residing at lVzishington, in the District of Columbia, have 'invented certain new and usefulv lmprovements in Tail-Light Sign Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to signs, and has particular reference to means for securing a sign to an automobile, in close relation to one of the lamps thereof.

An important object ofthe invention is to providel a device of the above `mentioned character, so constructed that it may be used in connection with the tail light of a Ford automobile, and securely held in 4place by the bolt of the tail light, and coacting `with the lugs and openings in the support bar, whereby the device and the tail light,'are held rigid, as is accomplished with the tail light alone.

A further object of the invention is to `provide a device ofthe above mentioned character, having a. part` arranged between the end of the tail .lamp and the bar, and con forming to the curvature of such end, thcreby serving to stiifen and strengthen such end.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the above mentioned character, which'is nea-.t and attractive in appearance, and easy to install in place upon the automobile'.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

F igurey 1 is a perspective view of a sign device embodying my invention, showing the same in use.

Figure 2 is a horizontal section taken on i' line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the sign device and,

Figure 4L is an edge elevation of the same.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred enibodiment of my invention, the numeral 5 designates a support member or bar,'which is in the form of a channel bar. This bar is carried by the rear end of the Ford automobile. The numeral 6 designates the usual Ford tail lamp, embodying a casing 7, which is cylindrical, and having an end 8, which` bulges outwardly and is spherically curved. The casing 7 carriesthe usual lens or glass 9. Theend 8 carries a bolt 10, arranged cen- 'trally thereof, which passes through an opening 11 in the support'member or bar 5. The support member 5 has its vertical web 11 provided with a spherically curved portion 12, adapted to snugly receive the spherically curved end 8. The end 8 is provided with outwardly projecting lugs 13, stamped therefrom, and diametrically oppositely arranged. These lugs, in the usual Ford construction, enter openings 14, formed in the spherically curved portion 12. The bolt holds the end in proper end gagement with the spherically curved lportion 12, and the lugs 13 fitting into the opening 14, prevent any turning movement of the lamp casing. rlhis is the standard construction of the Ford tail lamp and supporting means. I

My sign device is designed principally for use in connection with the :Ford ltail light and supporting means therefor, while not necessarily restricted to this us-e. The device embodies a preferably, circular ybody portion 15, in the form of a plate, preferably having a slightly larger diameter than the casing 7, so that the edge of the body portion 15 projects slightly radially beyond the periphery of the casing. The body portion 15 is preferably formed of sheet or plate metal, such as copper or brass, but it may be formed of any other suitable material, such as fiber, or other metal. The body pon tion 15 is provided with a circular spherically curved portion 16, arranged concentrically with relation thereto. This spherically curved portion 16 conforms to the curvature of the end 8, and the spherically curved portion 12. The spherically curved portion 16 is provided with a central opening 17 for the passage of bolt 10. The porw tion 16 is provided with projections or lugs 18, upon its rear side, which lugs are bent or pressed from the material of the portion 16. These lugs are hollow, and hence provide depressions, or recesses 19, upon the forward face of the portion 16. The lugs 18 are diametrically oppositely arranged, and adapted to enter the openings 141-, while the recesses 19 occurring at the forward side of the hollow lugs, receive the lugs 13 of the end 8.

.The numeral 2O designates a sign carrying portion, projecting radially from the body portion 16, and preferably integral therewith. This sign portion preferably projects above the casing 7, and receives thereon the desired data. I contemplate arranging upon this sign portion the name of the dealer who sells the automobile, while of course any other suitable data may be applied thereto.I

In the use of the device, the tail lamp is removed, andthe body portion 1G is placed in engagement with the spherically curved portion 12 of the support member so that its opening 17 registers with the opening of the portion 12, and the outwardly bulging lugs 18 enter the openings 14. The lamp casing7 now has its end 18 broughtinto engagement with the spherically curved portion 16, within which it fits snugly, the bolt 10 of course passing through the opening 17 and the opening in the bar 5; The outwardly bulging lugs 13 of the end fs enter the recesses 19. Upon screwing up the nut of the bolt 10, the several parts will be securely clamped and locked together. The sign portion 2O projecting radially beyondl the casing 7, is readily visible.

Not only does the device provide a neat and attractive sign, but it serves materially to strengthen and reinforce the end 8 of thel lamp casing, as the body portion 15 of the device projects above and below the bar 5 for substantial distances.

It it to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred embodiment of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to. without departing from the spirit of myrinvent'ion or the scope 4of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. The combination with a supporting memberhaving ya spherically curved portion and a central opening and outer openings, a lamp casing having a spherically curved end provided with outwardly bulging lugs in alinement with the outer openings, and a bolt carried by the spherically curved end to enter the central opening; of a sign device embodying a Aspherically curved body portion to engage between the spherically curved portion of the supporting member and the spherically curved end, said spherically curved body portion having a central opening for the reception of the bolt and rearwardly projecting hollow lugs pressed therefrom to enter said outer openings, said hollow lugs having recesses upon their forward sides for'receiving the lugs of said end, and a sign portion projecting radially from said body portion.

2. The combination with a supporting member' having an inner opening and outer openings, a lamp casing yhaving an end carrying a bolt to enter said inner opening and having outwardly projecting lugs to enter said outer openings; of a sign device embodying a body portionto be arranged between the supporting member' and said end, said body portion having an inner opening to receive the bolt and outer rearwardly bulging hollow lugs to enter the outer openings in the supporting member, said hollow lugs having recesses upon their rear sides for receiving the lugs of said end, and a sign portion carried by from said body portion.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature. j

GUY T. STEUART. 

